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ELECTIOIST LAWS 


OP THE 


STATE OF MARYLAND 

NOW IN FORCE: 


WITH SUCH 


|Lrti0tt$ 0f tj;e fesiitotnm 

AS RELATE TO THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE. 


BALTIMORE: 

GEORGE W. BOWEN & CO. 


CITY PRINTERS. 



































* +~ 
































ADVERTISEMENT. 


The edition of the election laws now presented to the 
public, commends itself, by the fact that neither time nor 
pains has been spared to make it a complete compilation 
of the laws upon that subject. As a long period of time 
has elapsed since a similar publication has been attempted, 
the publishers availed themselves of the services of a gen¬ 
tleman of experience in works of the kind, and it will be 
observed, that in addition to a thorough revision of the 
laws, leaving out such portions as have been repealed by 
subsequent legislation, and adding, in their proper places, 
amendments made thereto, he has added side notes of 
great value, and prepared an index which is itself an 
abridgment of the election laws, and by which, it is 
hoped, the reader will be enabled, without difficulty, to 
find, under its proper head, any matter relating to elec¬ 
tions on which there has been legislation by this State. 


October, 1856. 






(fetracis firm % Cttttstiltiiiim. 


Article 1. 

THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE. 

Section 1. Every free white male person, of twenty- of ^otere? ations 
one years of age or upwards, who shall have been 
one year next preceding the election a resident of the 
State, and for six months a resident of the city of 
Baltimore, or of any county in which he may offer to 
vote, and being at the time of the election a citizen 
of the United States, shall he entitled to vote in the 
ward or election district in which he resides, in all 
elections hereafter to he held ; and at all such elections S[o t . to be by 
the vote shall he taken by ballot. And in case any 
county or city shall be so divided as to form portions city is divided 
of different electoral districts for the election of Con- distncts! eparate 
gressmen, Senator, delegate, or other officer or officers, 
then to entitle a person to vote for such officer he must Residence re- 
have been a resident of that part of the county or city qmred ‘ 
which shall form a part of the electoral district in 
which he offers to vote, for six months next prece¬ 
ding the election ; hut a person who shall have ac-^me, when a 
quired a residence in such county or city entitling him coumy'^clty, 
to vote at any such election, shall he entitled to vote dXrfo s S th ° 
in the election district from which he removed, urn months ‘ 
til he shall have acquired a residence in the part of 
the county or city to which he has removed. 



6 


EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION. 


Bribery. Sec. 2 . That if any person shall give, or offer to 

give, directly or indirectly, any bribe, present, or re¬ 
ward, or any promise, or any security for the payment 
or delivery of money or any other thing, to induce 
any voter to refrain from casting his vote, or forcibly 
to prevent him in any way from voting, or to obtain 
or procure a vote for any candidate or person proposed 
or voted for as elector of President and Vice President 
of the United States, or representative in Congress, 
or for any office of profit or trust created by the Con¬ 
stitution or laws of this State, or by the ordinances 
or authority of the Mayor and City Council of Balti- 
The parties giv- m0 re, the person giving or offering to give, and the 
Ishecfon convlc- P er ® 0n receiving the same, and any person who gives 
ti°n. or cauges to be given an illegal vote, knowing it to be 

so, at any election to be hereafter held in this State, 
shall, on conviction in a court of law, in addition to 
Also disqualify the penalties now or hereafter to be imposed by law, 

ed to hold offico -i /» -i • -i • p ■« . iii cy * p p » 

or vote there- be forever disqualified to hold any office oi profit or 
trust, or to vote at any election thereafter. 
be e pun JSed? t0 ^ ec * 3. It shall be the duty of the General Assem¬ 

bly of Maryland to pass laws to punish with fine and 
imprisonment any person who shall remove into any 
election district, or ward of the city of Baltimore, not 
for the purpose of acquiring a bona fide residence 
therein, but for the purpose of voting therein at an 
approaching election, or who shall vote in any elec¬ 
tion district or ward in which he does not reside, (ex¬ 
cept in the case provided for in the first article of the 
Constitution,) or shall, at the same election, vote in 
more than one election district or ward, or shall vote 
or offer to vote in any name not his own, or in place 
of any other person of the same name, or shall vote 
in any county in which he does not reside. (1) 

}?3K tiTake Sec. 4. Every person elected or appointed to any 
an oath. office of profit or trust under the Constitution or laws 
made pursuant thereto, before he shall enter upon 


(1) See act of 1853, chapter 133, page 31. 


EXTRACTS FROM TIIE CONSTITUTION. 


7 


the duties of such office shall take and subscribe the 
following oath or affirmation : I, A. B., do swear (or 0atl1 ' 
affirm, as the case may he,) that I will support the 
Constitution of the United States, and that I will he 
faithful and hear true allegiance to the State of Mary¬ 
land, and support the Constitution and laws thereof; 
that I will to the best of my skill and judgment dili¬ 
gently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, 

execute the office of-according to the Constitution 

and laws of this State, and that since the adoption of 
the present Constitution, I have not, in any manner, 
violated the provisions thereof in relation to bribery 
of voters or preventing legal or procuring illegal votes 
to he given ; (and if a Governor, Senator, member of emor&c? Gov " 
the House of Delegates, or Judge,) “that I will not 
directly or indirectly receive the profits or any part of 
the profits of any other office during the time of my 

acting as-.” And if any person elected or ap- 

pointed to office as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect toSSewX I?St 
take the said oath or affirmation, he shall he consid- the*office, 
ered as having refused to accept the said office, and a 
new election or appointment shall he made as in case 
of refusal or resignation, and any person swearing or 
affirming falsely in the premises, shall, on conviction swearingfais^y 
thereof in a court of law, incur the penalties, for wilful P er J ur y- 
and corrupt perjury, and be thereafter incapable of 
voting at any election, and also incapable of holding 
any office of profit or trust in this State. (1) 

Sec. 5. That no person above the age of twenty-Sd™®? crime?, 
one years, convicted ot larceny or other infamous sons non com- 
crime, unless he shall be pardoned by the Executive, entm<Tto\o n te. 
shall ever thereafter be entitled to vote at any election 
in this State, and no person under guardianship as a 
lunatic, or as a person non compos mentis, shall be 
entitled to vote. 


(1) Additional oaths of office are prescribed by act of 1854, ch. 18. 




8 


EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION. 


Article X. 

regulatedbytew Sec. 6. The Legislature shall have power to regu¬ 
late by law all matters which relate to the judges, 
time, place and manner of holding elections in this 

Proviso. State, (1) and of making returns thereof, (2) provided 
that the tenure and term of office, and the day of 
election shall not he affected thereby. 

sheriffs to give g ec 9 # Tim sheriffs of the several counties of this 

notice of elec- 

tions * State, and of the city of Baltimore, shall give notice 

of the several elections authorized by this Constitu¬ 
tion, in the manner prescribed by existing laws for 
elections under the present Constitution. 

(1) See act of 1852, chapter 183, page 30. 

(2) See act of 1853, chapter 134, page 31. 


ELECTION LAWS 

OF THE 

STATE OF MARYLAND. 


Note. —Those portions of Acts of Assembly which have been repealed, 
have been omitted, and the omissions supplied by (**)., while alterations 
by subsequent legislation are italicised in each case. 

1805 —Chapter 97. 

An Act to reduce into one the several Acts of Assembly respecting 
Elections, and to regulate said Elections. 

Whereas, * * * by the Constitution of the preamble. 
United States,(1) it is provided that the House of Rep¬ 
resentatives shall he composed of members chosen 
every second year, by the people of the several States, 
and the electors in each State shall have the qualifi¬ 
cations requisite for electors of the most numerous 
branch of the State legislature. 

And whereas it is further provided by the Constitu¬ 
tion of the United States (2) that the executive power 
shall be vested in a President of the United States; 
that he shall hold his office during the term of four 
years, and together with the Vice President chosen 
for the same term, be elected as follows: Each State 
shall appoint in such manner as the legislature thereof 
may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole 
number of senators and representatives to which the 

(1) Article 1, section 2. 

(2) Article 2, section 1. 

2 



10 


ELECTION LAWS. 


State may be entitled in Congress: In order to carry 
the said provisions into effect, and to reduce into one 
the several existing laws on those subjects—therefore, 
Sec. 2. {Dividing the State into Congressional Dis¬ 
tricts. This section has been remodelled from time to 
time. The act of Assembly now in force is that of 1853, 
chap. 280.) 

Sec. 3. {This section provided for the election of elec¬ 
tors of President and Vice President by districts; now 
they are elected by general ticket. 1833, chop. 261.) 
fhrceweeks^o- Sec. 4- And be it enacted, that the sheriffs of the 
tice of election. gevera i counties in this State respectively, under the 
penalty of fifty dollars, at least three weeks previous 
to every election regulated by this act, shall cause 
public notice to be given within their respective coun¬ 
ties, by advertisements set up at the most public 
places within each district of the county, of the time 
and place of holding the several elections aforesaid. 
vidTbaiioTbSes Sec. 5. And be it enacted, that the respective sher- 
and poii books. jg* g under the penalty of five hundred dollars, 

provide or cause to be provided, and delivered to the 
judge or judges of the election in each district pre¬ 
vious to, or at the commencement of each election, a 
box for receiving the ballots, and two separate books 
for the purpose of entering the voters names. 
SSnereTnd Sec. 6 . And be it enacted, that the County Commis- 
councif n to C ap- sioners respectively shall annually appoint three per- 
ffeiections. ° f sons for each election district resident therein, who, 
or a majority or any one of whom, in case of the non- 
attendance of the other two, shall be judges or judge 
of the- election for such district from the time of their 
appointment until displaced by a new appointment. 
{In the city of Baltimore the judges of the elections are 
to be appointed annually by the Mayor and a convention 
of the two branches of the City Council. 1852 chap. 183 
judges to be sec 3 ) And the said iud^es, or such of them as 
the peace. shall attend shall be conservators of the peace during 
the continuance of the election, and until the ballots 
shall be counted, and the necessary certificates re- 



ELECTION LAWS. 


11 


qnired by this act shall he made out and subscribed 
by the said judges and clerks ; and shall he vested, 
and hereby are vested with the power and authority 
to commit offenders for any breach of the peace, in 
like manner as any justice of the peace for such coun¬ 
ty; and in case any of the said judges shall die, re- 10 be 
sign, remove out of the district, or become otherwise 
in the opinion of the county commissioners disqualified 
to act as judge, the said commissioners shall at any 
meeting thereafter, appoint a person as judge in his 
place; and at every appointment of judge or judges^SereSSSu 
as aforesaid, the clerk of the county shall record the 
same, and make out a warrant therefor; and the clerk 
shall within five days thereafter, deliver every such 
warrant to the sheriff of the county, and it shall he sheriff to deiiv- 
the duty of the sheriff, within ten days after receiving erviairant * 
the same, to deliver the same to the person or persons 
so appointed, or leave it at his or their last place of 
abode, under the penalty of fifty dollars on the clerk Penalty, 
or sheriff respectively, who shall neglect his duty 
aforesaid. (1) 

Sec. 7. And he it enacted, that any judge so ap- JudfrRS not ftt _ 
pointed who shall not attend at the time appointed {y" dmg—penai “ 
for holding any election in his district, shall forfeit 
fifty dollars for every such neglect, unless prevented by 
sickness, or other sufficient cause, in the opinion of the 
court and jury, before whom the prosecution therefor 
shall he heard, tried and determined. 

Sec. 8. And he it enacted, that in case neither of r , 

Judges not nt- 

the judges aforesaid shall attend as aforesaid for the teud L ng wi i bin 
space of one hour after the time herein directed for J , e r d tobeIll>poin ' 
opening the election, it shall and may he lawful for 
the justices of the peace for the said county then pre¬ 
sent at said place of election, or the majority of them, 
or for one justice of the peace, in the event of hut one 


(1) By November, 1812, chap. 19, the judges of election in each elec¬ 
tion district in Cecil county, shall appoint two constables of their res¬ 
pective districts, to attend on the days of election, for the preservation 
of the peace. 


12 


ELECTION LAWS. 


Penalty on rcfu 
Bing to act. 


Oath of judges. 


being present, or in case no justice of the peace shall 
be present, for the voters then present, or a majority 
of them, to choose, by ballot, three persons to be 
judges of said election, which said persons shall be 
Their powers, and are hereby vested with, for that election, the same 
powers and authorities as if such persons had been 
chosen as judges by the commissioners aforesaid. 

Sec. 9 . This section {fixing the times and places for 
holding elections) has been frequently changed, and is 
now entirely superseded by other acts of Assembly, and 
the provisions of the new Constitution. 
poSteV. 0be ap * Sec. 10* And he it enacted, that the judges afore¬ 
said shall appoint two clerks, being above the age of 
twenty-one years, to enter the names of the voters, 
separately and plainly, on the books provided for that 
purpose, and if any clerk so appointed, shall neglect 
or refuse to act, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of 
ten dollars. 

Sec. 11. And be it enacted, that every judge of an 
election, before he proceeds to take or receive any 
vote, shall take the following oath, or affirmation, to 
wit: “I, A. B., do swear, or affirm, that I will per¬ 
mit all persons to vote who shall offer to poll at the 

election now to be held lor-county, or-city, 

who in my judgment shall, according to the directions 
contained in this law and the constitution and form 
of government, be entitled to poll at the same election, 
and that I will not permit any person to poll at the 
same election who is not, in my judgment, qualified 
to vote as aforesaid, and will in all things execute the 
office of judge of the said elections, according to the 
best of my knowledge, without favor or partiality, so 
help me God;” that every clerk, before he enters any 
oath of clerks. vote on ^ ie P°il s > shall take the following oath, or 
affirmation, to wit: “I, A. B., do swear, or affirm, 
that I will well and faithfully, without favor, affection 
Or partiality, execute the office of clerk of the election 
or elections now to be held, according to the best of 
my knowledge, so help me God.” * * * {The 




ELECTION LAWS. 


13 


several judges may administer the oath required to be 
taken, to each other, or take the same before a justice of 
the peace, and their clerks may either be sworn by one 
of the judges or before a justice of the peace. 1852, 
cliap. 183, sec. 3.) And a certificate of every such certificate, 
oath or affirmation, signed by the person administer¬ 
ing the same respectively, shall he annexed to the 
polls. 

Sec. 12. And he it enacted, that the elections afore- Time of holding 
said respectively shall commence at nine o’clock ^ n tecl0,ls ' 
the morning of the respective days of the election, 
and shall continue without adjournment, and be closed 
at six o’clock in the evening of the same day, and no 
ballot shall he taken before the said hour of nine 
o’clock in the morning, nor after the said hour of six 
o’clock in the evening; and every voter shall deliver Manner of vo- 
to the judge or judges of the election in the district 11118 ' 
in which he offers to vote, a ballot, on which shall be 
written, or printed, the name or names of the per¬ 
son or persons voted for, and the purpose for which 
the vote is given, plainly designated; and the ballot 
so delivered in, and received by the judge or judges 
of the election shall he deposited in the ballot box 
till the poll he closed; and if any judge of an election, Jlld?es not to 
or other person, after any ballot shall he delivered in ulUolt * ballots - 
as aforesaid, and before the poll is closed, shall unfold 
or open any such ballot, with design to discover the 
name or names therein contained, every person so of¬ 
fending shall forfeit and pay the sum of fifty dollars: Penalty, 
and if any voter shall offer any more than one ballot, 

J J ' If more than one 

with a fraudulent design, every such person shall for- ballot offered * 
feit and pay the sum of twenty dollars for every such Penalt y- 
offence. 

Sec. 13. And he it enacted, that when the poll shall Bal]ot box tf) be 
he closed, the box wherein the ballots are deposited, o?p3i. at close 
shall be immediately thereafter opened by the judge or 
judges of the election, and the said judge or judges 
shall publicly, in the presence of such persons as may 
choose to attend, carefully take out the said ballots, and counted. 


14 


ELECTION LAWS. 


Character of 
hailots to be r 
jected. 


Statement or 
certificate of 
votes. 


Form of return 


read distinctly and aloud the name or names written or 
printed thereon respectively, and the clerks of such 
election shall carefully enter and keep an account of 
the same on the books of the polls, so that the num¬ 
ber of votes for each candidate tallied thereon, may 
be readily cast up and known; and if upon opening 
any of the said ballots there be found any more names 
written or printed on any of them than there ought 
to be, or if any two or more of such ballots or papers 
be deceitfully folded together, or if the purpose for 
which the vote is given is not plainly designated as 
within directed, such ballots shall be rejected, and 
not counted. 

Sec. 14. And be it enacted, that as soon as the bal¬ 
lots shall be read off and counted, and the number for 
each candidate reckoned up and ascertained, the judge 
or judges of the election shall make out, under his or 
their hands, attested by the clerks of the election, or 
one of them, on the books of the polls, two plain, 
fair and distinct statements and certificates of the num¬ 
ber of votes which shall be then and there given for 
each candidate, distinguishing the station or office for 
which he has been voted, which numbers shall be ex¬ 
pressed in words at length, and not in figures only, 
according to the form following, or to the like effect, 
to wit: “ State of Maryland,-county, to wit: 

' We, the undersigned duly appointed by the County 
Commissioners of said county, or by a justice of the 
peace, or the voters, (as the case maybe) in due form 
of law, judge or judges of the election in district No. 

• -, do hereby certify and return that we did attend 

on the first Wednesday of November , in the year eigh¬ 
teen hundred and-at-, the place by law ap¬ 

pointed for holding the elections within said district, 

and did then and there appoint-and-clerks 

of the election,who severally qualified as directed by 
law; we further certify that we did then and there 

* * * * qualify as judge or judges of the election, as 
by law directed, and did then and there, at the hour 








ELECTION LAWS. 


15 


of-o’clock in the morning, open the polls for an 

election of-delegates to represent said comity in 

the general assembly, (or-, as the case may be) 

that we continued the polls open until six o’clock in 
the evening of the same day, when they were closed, 
the ballot box opened, and the ballots publicly counted, 
when it appeared that-had-votes as a dele¬ 
gate to the general assembly, (or-, as the case 

may be.) Given under our hands, at the place of 

election, this - day of-, in the year of 

our Lord eighteen hundred and -. Attested 

by-,-clerks.” 

Sec. 15. And be it enacted, that the presiding Presidmgjudges 
judges of elections, or in case of inability to attend, 
either of the other judges shall on the second day after 
every election (except in case of elections in the city of 
Baltimore where the judges shall meet on the day 
next succeeding the holding of said election) under the 
penalty of five hundred dollars, meet at the usual place 
of the sitting of the circuit court of each county, with 
the books of the polls and the certificates aforesaid: 

( The returning judges shall make their returns in jive days 
after each election, or sooner if practicable ; and such returns 
shall be made in the several counties to the respective clerks of 
the circuit courts, and in the city of Baltimore, to the clerk of 
the superior court of that city. 1852, chap. 183, sec. 4.) 

And the said judges when so assembled shall cast votes to be cast 
up the whole of the votes of all the districts, and shall up b} jud=L& ‘ 
make out two plain, fair and distinct statements and 
certificates of the number of votes which shall have 
been given for each candidate; if for delegates to the 
general assembly, in the following form or to the like 
effect, to wit: 

To - Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court for - county :(Y) 

' Whereas an election for-delegates of — 7 county ^deie^te?™ 

to the general assembly of Maryland was held on the ^® nb ^ ,eral as ' 
first Wednesday in November, (2) eighteen hundred 

(1) Or Superior Court ofBaltimore city. Act of 1852, chap. 183, sec. 4. 

(2) See Constitution, article 3, section 5. 













16 


ELECTION LAWS. 


and-, in the districts of said county, distinguish¬ 

ed by number one, two and three, &c., conformably 
to the constitution and laws of this State; and where¬ 
as, we the subscribers, attending judges at the close 
of the election in said districts, having this day as¬ 
sembled at the usual place of the sitting of the circuit 
court of said county, with the books of the polls, on 
which are endorsed the several certificates agreeably 
to law, and having cast up the whole number of votes 
given in said districts, according to the respective 
certificates made out on the day of election by the 

judges, it appears that -,-,-, and-, 

have the greatest number of legal votes; whereupon 
we do determine, declare and return, that the said 

-,-,-, and-, are duly elected delegates 

for-county, to the general assembly of Maryland. 

Given under our hands, this-day of November , 

eighteen hundred and-. 

********* 

for™erSr eturn ^ for sheriffs, in the following form or to the like 
effect, to wit: 

To - Esq., Cleric of the Circuit Court for - county:{ 1) 

Whereas an election for two persons for the office 
of sheriff for-county, was held on the first Wed¬ 
nesday in November , (2) eighteen hundred and-, 

in the districts of said county, distinguished by num¬ 
ber one, two, three, &c., conformably to the constitu¬ 
tion and laws of this State; and whereas, we the sub¬ 
scribers, attending judges at the close of the election 
in said districts, having this day assembled at the 
usual place of the sitting of the circuit court of said 
county, with the books of the polls, on which are en¬ 
dorsed the several certificates agreeably to law, and 
having examined and cast up the whole number of 
ballots given in the said districts, agreeably to the 
respective certificates made out on the day of election 

(1) See act of 1852, chapter 183, section 4. 

(2) See Constitution, article 4, section 24. 














ELECTION LAWS. 


17 


by the judges, it appears that-had-ballots, 

and-had - ballots, and that -and- 

had a majority of legal ballots of the candidates pro¬ 
perly qualified. Whereupon we do determine, declare 
and return that the said-and-ara duly elec¬ 
ted for the office of sheriff for-county. Given 

under our hands, this-day of November, in the 

year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and-. 

If for representatives to Congress, in the following 
form or to the like effect, to wit: 

To - Esq. Clerh of the Circuit Court for - county: (If Form fbr rep ' 

1 m J J J resentatives in 

We, the subscribers, judges at the close of an elec- conges¬ 
tion held on the first Wednesday in November , (2) in 

the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and-, in 

the election districts of-county, distinguished 

by number one, two, three, &c., for the purpose of 

choosing a representative for the-district of this 

State, to serve in the Congress of the United States, 
having this day assembled at the usual place of the 
sitting of the circuit court of said county, with the 
books of the polls, on which are endorsed the several 
certificates agreeably to law, and having cast up the 
whole number of votes given in said districts according 
to the respective certificates made out by the judges, 

do return that-had-votes, and- had 

-votes, &c. Given under our hands, this- 

day of-, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred 

and-. 

If for electors of President and Vice President of Form of return 
the United States, in the following form, or to the 
like effect, to wit; 

To - Esq. Clerh of the Circuit Court for - county : (1) 

We, the subscribers, judges at the close of an elec¬ 
tion held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in 
November , (3) in the year of our Lord, eighteen hun- 

(1) Or superior court of Baltimore city. See act of 1852, chapter 183, 
section 4. 

(2) See act of 1852, chapter 52, section 1. 

(3) See act of Congress, passed January 23, 1845. 

3 










18 


ELECTION LAWS. 


tired and-, in the election districts in-county 

distinguished by number one, two, three, &c., for the 
purpose of electing-electors for choosing a Pres¬ 

ident and Vice President of the United States, con¬ 
formably to the Constitution of the United States, and 
the laws of this State, having this day assembled at 
the usual place of the sitting of the circuit court of 
said county, with the hooks of the polls on which are 
endorsed the several certificates required by law, hav¬ 
ing cast up the whole number of votes given in said 
districts, according to the respective certificates made 

out by the judges, do return that-had-votes, 

and that - had - votes. Given under our 

hands, this-day of-, in the year of our Lord, 

eighteen hundred and-. 

Sec. 16. This section provided for separate returns 
where a county is divided so as to form portions of sep¬ 
arate congressional or electoral districts. The electors 
are noiv elected by general ticket; (see act of 1833, 
chap. 261;) and the remainder of the section is super¬ 
seded by the act of 1853, chap. 280, sec. 2. 
mayEuijmimun- Sec. 17. And he it enacted, that if at the time ap- 
ni an attend. p 0 j n ^ e q f or the assembling of the said judges, any of 
them should he prevented from attending, in such 
case the Judge or judges who shall attend, may ad¬ 
journ from day to day, until the judges required to 
meet shall all assemble, immediately after which they 
shall proceed to perform the duties required as aforesaid. 
fetums 0 *o a be Sec. 18. And he it enacted, that the judges afore- 
Sefkoflhedi- sa ^ shall respectively lodge with the clerk of the 
cult court. circuit court , within one day from their meeting as 
aforesaid, the hooks of the polls of all the districts in 
said county, together with a certificate of all the 
votes given in the said districts. * * * 

Sec. 19. This section directed returns to be made to 
the chancellor in certain cases. All returns.are now to 
be made in the counties , to the clerks of the circuit courts , 
and in the city of Baltimore , to the clerk of the superior 
court , 1852, chap. 183, sec. 4. 




ELECTION LAWS. 


19 


Sec. 20. And be it enacted, that the said respective J^ rk a s 
clerks of the circuit courts , with whom the said certifi- Governor! tothe 
cates and polls are lodged, shall, under the penalty 
of one hundred dollars, make out a true copy of said 
certificate lodged with him by the judges aforesaid, 
of all the votes, under the seal of his office, within 
five days after the same shall be as aforesaid depos¬ 
ited, and the same when made out, enclose and seal 
up, directed to the governor, * * * endorsed “on 
public service,” to be by the said clerk, within the 
time last mentioned, placed in the nearest post-office, 
and to be transmitted as aforesaid. 

(The returns of elections are further regulated by the 
act of 1853, chapter 134.) 

Sec. 21. And be it enacted, that the electors of^S 0 / 8 ^ 0 ^: 
President and Vice President aforesaid, * * * shall napolis ‘ 
assemble on the first Wednesday of December in every 
fourth year counting from eighteen hundred and eight , 
unless the Congress of the United States should by 
law otherwise direct, and in that event, on the day 
thereby directed, at the city of Annapolis, and shall 
then and there perform the duties enjoined upon them 
by the constitution of the United States, and the laws 
made in pursuance thereof. 

Sec. 22. And be it enacted, that for all electionscilySaiiimorc 
* * * in the city of Baltimore * * * the said t0 be by wards * 

city is hereby divided into * * wards (1) or districts, 
as divided * * for choosing members of the first 

branch of the city council and the judges of the said 
elections for members of the first branch of the city 
council of Baltimore aforesaid * * * appointed 

from time to time under the corporation of tile said 
city, shall be the judges of the elections aforesaid, 
and the said judges shall hold and conduct the said 
elections at the several places prescribed by the ordi¬ 
nances of the said city for holding the elections for 
members of the first branch of the city council of said 

(1) The city is now divided into twenty wards in pursuance of the 
act of 1844, chapter 282. 


20 


ELECTION LAWS. 


city, and shall in all other respects, as to time and 
manner of holding said elections, and ascertaining 
and declaring the persons elected, pursue and observe, 
under the penalties hereinbefore imposed on the other 
judges of elections, the several rules and regulations 
by this act prescribed to the several judges of elections 
in the county districts aforesaid, in relation to similar 
elections, and conform themselves to the laws and con¬ 
stitution of this State in relation to such elections, and 
to the persons whom they shall permit to vote at the 
same. 

Sec. 23. This section , requiring the Mayor of the 
city of Baltimore to give notice of elections under this act 
is repealed by 1852, chap. 183, sec. 5, except so far as 
relates to elections of the mayor and city council. 

Sec. 24. This section , requiring a person qualified to 
vote in the election district in which he resides and at no 
other place, is superseded by section 1, article 1, of the 
new constitution. 

fering^ovot^a Sec. 25'. And he it enacted, that if any person at 
second time. an y election, having voted once, shall offer to vote 
again in the same district or county, he shall he sub¬ 
ject to a penalty of ten dollars for such offence * * 

and * * the offender may he immediately appre¬ 

hended therefor by a warrant of a justice of the peace, 
or judge of the election, issued in the name of the 
State, and shall he tried by such justice or judge 
respectively. 

The remainder of this section is merged in the act of 
1853, chap. 133, passed in pursuance of section 3, article 
1 , of the neio constitution. 

twice" may^be Sec. 26. And he it enacted, that if any person shall 
presented. vo te ^ w i C e a t one election, he shall he liable to a pre¬ 
sentment in the circuit court of the county, where he 
may reside and may he fined not exceeding forty dol¬ 
lars, and imprisoned not exceeding one month in the 
discretion of the court. 

un-tSoverawe Sec. 27. And he it enacted, that if any candidate 
elections. or 0 tfier person or persons, shall practice force and 


ELECTION LAWS. 


21 


violence, with intent to influence unduly, or to over¬ 
awe, interrupt, or hinder any election to be held in 
virtue of this act, every person so offending, shall on 
conviction thereof in the circuit court of the county 
wherein such offence shall be committed, suffer such Penalty, 
fine, not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars and 
such imprisonment, not exceeding fifty days, as the 
court, in their discretion shall adjudge. 

Sec. 28. And he it enacted, that it shall not bes° ldiers no ] ?° 
lawful for any commissioned or non-commissioned of-p ewofane,ec - 
fleer, having the command of any soldier or soldiers 
quartered or posted in any district of any county in 
this State to muster or embody any of the said troops, 
or to march any recruiting party, within the view of 
any place of election, during the time of holding said 
election, under the penalty of one hundred dollars. 

Sec. 29. And be it enacted, that if any candidate , Kee P in g °p e n 
at an election to be held in virtue of this act, or any tion da y- 
other person or persons whatever * * * shall 

keep, or suffer to be kept, any house, tent, booth or 
other accommodation, in any part of any district at any 
time during the day of holding such election, and be¬ 
fore the close thereof, at his or their expense, where 
any victuals or intoxicating liquors shall be gratui¬ 
tously given or dealt out to voters, every such person 
or candidate so offending shall, on conviction thereof, 
in the circuit court of the county, wherein such offence Penalty, 
may be committed, be fined at the discretion of the 
court, a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, and 
suffer such imprisonment as the court may adjudge, 
not exceeding six months. 

Sec. 30. And be it enacted, that the clerks of thecierks to en- 

dorse certifi- 

respective circuit courts shall endorse on the certificates cates and poiia 

r when received. 

and polls to be delivered to them as aforesaid, the day 
when received, and shall be allowed as a compensa¬ 
tion for making out and forwarding the copies of said 
certificates to the Governor * * * aforesaid, the 

same compensation as is allowed for like services, to compensation, 
be levied and paid for by the county as his other fees. 


22 


ELECTION LAWS. 


judges^and t0 S ec - 31. And be it enacted, that the said judges and 
t/ons 9 ° f elec ’ clerks of elections respectively shall be allowed, for 
each election at which he attends as aforesaid, and 
for making the returns as aforesaid, the sum of four 
dollars per day to be levied and paid as other county 
charges. 

In the city of Baltimore the judges are allowed no 
compensation for making the return of an dection. 
1829, chap. 7. 

The per diem of judges and clerks is fixed at two dol¬ 
lars in Allegany county. See 1810, chap. 46. The 
allowance to judges and clerks in Dorchester county is 
three dollars per day. See 1827, chap. 16. 

The same allowance is made in Frederick, Cecil, Car¬ 
oline, Carroll, Montgomery and Harford counties, by 
1843, chap. 146, and in Baltimore county, by 1849, 
chap. 174. 

Sec. 32. This section constituting Annapolis an elec¬ 
tion district for various purposes, has ceased to operate 
under the several amendments to the constitution. 
fue^pfodama- Sec. 33. And be it enacted, that the Governor * 
tion< on receiving the returns of the elections aforesaid for 

electors to choose a President and Vice President of 
the United States, and for members to represent this 
State in the Congress of the United States shall enu¬ 
merate and ascertain the number of votes given for 
each and every person voted for as an elector, or mem¬ 
ber to Congress, aforesaid respectively and shall there¬ 
upon declare by proclamation, signed by him, the names 
of the persons duly elected, and in cases of members to 
Congress those duly elected in each respective district, 
and the Governor * * * shall cause such procla¬ 

mation to be inserted in such newspapers on the 
Western and Eastern shores as he may direct. 

Sec. 34. This section is superseded by the act of 
1833, chap. 261, which changes the election of electors 
from the district to the general ticket system. 

Sec. 35. This section is repealed by the act of 1823, 
chap. 231, sec. 3. 


ELECTION LAWS. 


23 


Sec. 36. And be it enacted, that all fines and pen-re¬ 
alties created and imposed by this act, unless herein dictment - 
otherwise particularly directed and provided for, 
shall and may he recovered in the name of the state, 
by indictment, in the circuit court of the county, 
wherein the same shall accrue, and he applied, one half 
thereof to the use of the informer, and the other half 
to the use of the county, and it shall he the duty of 
the clerk of the circuit court of such county to return Annual return 

. . to be made. 

annually to the county commissioners , a list ol all fines 
and penalties recovered by virtue of this act. 

Sec. 37. And he it enacted, that the judges of the T ,° be s iven ir ? 

u ° charge to grand 

different circuit courts shall give this act in charge to^* 38, 
the grand juries of their respective counties, at the 
sitting of the court next after every election to he 
held therein. 

Sec. 38. And he it enacted, that all laws, clauses Laws repealed, 
and sections of laws, repugnant to, or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this act, be and the same are 
hereby repealed. 


1811— Chapter 204. 

A supplement to an Act (1) entitled 11 An Act to reduce into one the Passed January 
several Acts of Assembly respecting electidfis, and to regulate said 7 ’ 1812, 
elections.” 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly off e e ^ s ™ 8 
Maryland, that if any candidate, or any other person or cure votes * 
persons whatever, shall, at any time before, or on the 
day of an election to he held in virtue of the law to 
which this is a supplement, give or bestow, or di¬ 
rectly or indirectly promise any gift or reward to se¬ 
cure any person’s vote or ballot at any such election, 
any such person or candidate so offending, shall, on 


(1) 1805—chap. 97. 



24 


ELECTION LAWS. 


Penalty. conviction thereof in the circuit court of the county, 
wherein such offence may he committed, he fined at 
the discretion of the court, a sum not exceeding five 
hundred dollars, and suffer such imprisonment as the 
coverei how re ’ court may adjudge, not exceeding six months. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted, that all fines and penal¬ 
ties created and imposed by this act, shall he recover¬ 
ed in the same manner as fines and penalties are, by 
the act to which this is a supplement. 


1813— Chapter 110. 

29 S 1814 JanUary ^" n to ascertain t ^ ie allowance to Sheriffs for performing the duties 
required of them respecting elections. 

ance!^ 58 allow ' Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of 
Maryland, that the sheriffs in the several counties of 
this State, shall respectively be allowed the sum of 
twelve dollars for each and every election held in such 
county, for performing all such duties as they are by 
law required to perform relative to such elections : pro- 

p vided that when two or more of said elections shall be 

held on the same day, that the sheriff shall not be enti¬ 
tled to receive more than twelve dollars for such elec¬ 
tions. $ 

Levy to be made g ec< 2 . And be it enacted, that the respective coun¬ 
ty commissioners in the several counties of this State 
be and they are hereby authorised and directed to 
levy the same annually at the time of laying the coun¬ 
ty levy, which shall be collected and paid as other 
county charges are. 

Sec. 3. This section directed the same alloiuance to he 
made to sheriffs who had not at that time received com¬ 
pensation for the services already performed. 

Sec. 4. This section repeals all former laivs making 
allowance to sheriffs for holding elections. 



ELECTION LAWS. 


25 


1819—Chapter 174. 

An Act empowering the judges of elections to administer oaths apper- Passed Feb. r _l4, 
taining to elections. 

Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland, Judges may ad- 
tbat it shall and may be lawful for tbe several judges 
of elections within this State to administer an oath, 
or an affirmation in any inquiry which they may deem 
necessary to be made, touching the right of any per¬ 
son offering to vote, and if any person or persons shall 
swear or affirm falsely and corruptly in relation there- puSieT earing 
to, such person or persons shall, upon conviction there¬ 
of, suffer the pains and penalties provided for those 
convicted of perjury. 


1829—Chapter 7. 


An Act to alter the law in relation to the compensation of judges of Passe( i j an . 20 , 
elections in the city of Baltimore. 183 °* 


Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland, ^Ye^dTfor 
that hereafter no jndge of an election in the city of”on r Si_fte e lS 
Baltimore shall be allowed any compensation for mak¬ 
ing the return of such election : provided that nothing Proviso, 
herein contained shall be construed to deprive any 
judge of an election of the compenstion now allowed 
for attending the same. 


4 



26 


ELECTION LAWS. 


Passed Mar. 15 
1834. 


Preamble. 


Electors of Pre¬ 
sident to be elec¬ 
ted by general 
ticket. 


1833 —Chapter 261. 

A supplement to an Act (1) entitled “An Act to reduce into one the 
5 several acts of assembly respecting elections, and to regulate such 
elections. 

Whereas the manner of appointing electors of 
President and Vice President of the United States by 
a general ticket, as directed by the legislatures of a 
large majority of the States, has the effect of giving 
the whole electoral vote of each of those States to one 
person, for each of those important offices, and the 
mode adopted and long used in the State of Maryland, 
of electing in separate districts of the State, one or 
at most two electors from each district, results in all 
cases of contest in giving a divided vote to the candi¬ 
dates for the highest offices in the government, and 
the majority of the citizens of Maryland are thereby 
deprived of their just weight in the choice of the 
chief magistrate, as compared with the majority of 
the citizens of most of the other States—therefore, 
Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly 
of Maryland that on the Tuesday after the first Mon¬ 
day of November, (2) preceding the time fixed by law 
of the United States, for the choice of President and 
Vice President of the United States, there shall he 
elected by general ticket, as many electors of Presi¬ 
dent and Yice President, as this State shall he enti¬ 
tled to appoint, and each citizen of this State entitled 
to vote for delegates to the general assembly, shall 
have a right to vote for the whole number of electors, 
and the several persons to the number required to he 
chosen, having the highest number of votes, shall he 
declared and he deemed duly appointed electors, hut 
forasmuch as some of the persons voted for as electors 
may have an equal number of votes, so as to defeat a 

(1) 1805—Chap. 9t. 

(2) This day is fixed by act of Congress, approved January 23, 1845. 


ELECTION LAWS. 27 

choice between them.—Be it enacted, that in such5^ bedded 
case the Governor * * shall determine by lot which by lot - 

of the persons having such equal number of votes, 
shall be electors, so as to complete the whole number 
to which the State shall be entitled. 

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, that in all other respects ®onducted t0 a S bc 
than is hereinbefore provided for, the said election other elections - 
shall be conducted * * in the same manner as is 

provided for in the act to which this is a supplement. 

Sec. 3. And be it enacted, that upon the meeting of The places of 
the persons returned elected electors of President and to ITsuppued.” 
Vice President as provided for by this act, or as many 
of the said persons as may attend on the day appointed 
by the constitution and laws of the United States, 
before proceeding to perform the trust reposed in them, 
the place or places of any absent member or members, 
may be supplied by the members present, who shall 
have power to appoint the same, and the said person 
or persons when appointed and qualified, shall be en¬ 
titled to all the rights and privileges of those proclaimed 
by the executive authority of the State, as duly elected 
electors of President and Vice President of the United 
States. 


1844 —Chapter 309. 

An Act entitled an act to prevent illegal voting. Passed Mar ' 10 ’ 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Persons offering 

m . to vote illegally. 

Maryland, that * * * any person offering to vote 

in any of the counties of this State, or in the city of 
Baltimore, not being at the time of so offering to vote a 
citizen of the United States, twelve months a resident 
of this State, and six months preceding the election, 
a resident in the county or city in which he shall so 
offer to vote, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on demean^ mis " 
conviction thereof in the circuit court of the county or 




28 


ELECTION LAWS. 


Punishment. 


Bribery. 


Penalty. 


Persons voting 
illegally. 


Punishment. 


Persons voting 
on naturaliza¬ 
tion papers not 
his own, guilty 
of felony. 


Punishment. 


city in which said attempt shall be made, or in the city 
of Baltimore, shall he subject to a fine of not less than 
fifty dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars, and 
to imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 
one month, nor more than two years. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted, that if any person shall 
bribe or offer to bribe a legal voter, he shall be sub¬ 
ject to the same fine and imprisonment as an illegal 
voter convicted as aforesaid. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that any person 
who may hereafter vote at any election in this State, 
without possessing the qualifications of age and of 
residence, as now required by the laws of this State, 
shall upon conviction thereof in the circuit court of 
the county, where he may so vote, or in the criminal 
court of Baltimore, be subject to the same punishment 
prescribed in the first section of this act. 

Sec. 4. Be it enacted, by the general assembly of 
Maryland, that any person voting or offering to vote 
in any of the counties of this State, or in the city of 
Baltimore, on the certificates of naturalization of any 
other person, shall be guilty of felony, and on con¬ 
viction thereof, shall be punished by confinement in 
the penitentiary for not less than two nor more than 
six years. 

The remainder of this act, which relates to the 
stamping of naturalization papers, has been repealed 
by the act of 1845, chap. 385. 


ELECTION LAWS. 


29 


1852— Chapter 52. 

An Act to change the time of electing representatives of this State in Mar - 10 , 
the Congress of the United States. 

Section 1. Beit enacted by the general assembly T i,ne eiec- 

1/0 J tion of members 

of Maryland, that the * * election of representatives j£ ai £ed? ress 
of this State in the Congress of the United States, 
shall be on the first Wednesday of November, in the 
year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 
fifty-three, and on the same day in every second year 
thereafter, unless there should be a special meeting 
of Congress, called by the President of the United 
States, to be holden previous to such day, and after 
the expiration of the term of service of said represen¬ 
tatives, in which event, the Governor of Maryland 
shall by proclamation, direct such election to be held 
on a day therein named by him, which said proclama¬ 
tion shall require at least twenty days notice of each 
election to be given by the sheriffs of the respective 
counties and city of Baltimore. 

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, that in case a vacancy special election 
should occur by death, resignation or otherwise, at *?f g e of vacan " 
such a period as to make it necessary that a represen¬ 
tative or representives in Congress from this State, 
should be chosen before the regular time appointed by 
law for such election, then the Governor shall, by 
proclamation direct that a special election be held to 
fill said vacancy *or vacancies, which said proclama¬ 
tion shall require at least twenty days notice of such 
election, to be^given by the sheriffs of the respective 
counties or city of Baltimore, composing the Congres¬ 
sional district or districts in which such vacancy or 
vacancies may exist. 

Sec. 3. This section repeals so much of section 5 q/' RepeaI> 
the act of 1843, chapter 16, as fixes the first Wednes¬ 
day in October as the day for electing representatives to 
Congress . 


30 


ELECTION LAWS. 


1852— Chapter 183. 


Passed May 25, An Act pursuant to the sixth section of the tenth article of the Consti¬ 
tution, relative to judges of elections. 


Act of 1805, ch. 
97, and supple¬ 
ments in force 
so far as appli¬ 
cable. 


Judges to be ap¬ 
pointed annual¬ 
ly. 


Oath—by whom 
to be adminis¬ 
tered. 


Returns to be 
made within 
five days. 


Repeal. 


Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of 
Maryland, that the act entitled “An Act to reduce 
into one the several acts of assembly respecting elec¬ 
tions, and to regulate said elections,” passed at the 
session of eighteen hundred and five, chapter ninety- 
seven, and the several supplements thereto, shall be 
in force and have effect in all elections, held pursuant 
to the present constitution, so far as the same are ap¬ 
plicable, and are not altered or supplied by this act. 

Sec. 2. And be enacted, that the judges of elections 
shall be appointed annually, that is to say, those for 
the several counties by the county commissioners ; and 
for the city of Baltimore, by the mayor and a con¬ 
vention of the two branches of the city council, as city 
officers are now appointed. 

Sec. 3. And be it enacted, that the several judges 
may administer the oath, required to be taken, to each 
other, or take the same before a justice of the peace, 
and their clerks may either be sworn by one of the 
judges, or before a justice of the peace. 

Sec. 4. And be it enacted, that the returning judges 
shall make their returns in five days after each elec¬ 
tion, or sooner if practicable ; and such returns shall 
be made in the several counties to the respective clerks 
of the circuit courts, and in the city of Baltimore, to 
the clerk of the superior court of that city. 

Sec. 5. This section repeals the 23 d section of the 
act of 1805, chap. 97, which requires the mayor of the 
city of Baltimore to give public notice of elections , except 
so far as relates to elections of the mayor and city council. 


ELECTION LAWS. 


81 


1853 —Chapter 133. 

An Act to carry into effect the third section of the first article of the Con- Passed May 2 , 
stitution, by prescribing punishments for fraudulent practices at 1853, 
elections. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Fraudulent 

J practices at 

Maryland, that any person who shall remove into any elections, 
election district, or ward of the city of Baltimore, not 
for the purpose of acquiring a bona fide residence 
therein, but for the purpose of voting therein at an 
approaching election, or who shall vote in any election 
district or ward in which he does not reside (except 
in the case provided for in the first article of the con¬ 
stitution) or shall, at the same election, vote in more 
than one election district or ward, or shall vote, or of¬ 
fer to vote in any name not his own, or in place of any 
other person of the same name, or shall vote in any 
county in which he does not reside, shall on convic¬ 
tion be punished by a fine not less than ten dollars Penalty, 
nor exceding one hundred dollars, and by imprison¬ 
ment in the county or city jail for thirty days. 

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, that it shall be the spe- Judgeg to ^ ve 
cial duty of the judges of elections to give information of of 

to the respective State’s attorneys of all infractions of thislaw - 
this act, when discovered by them, under the penalty 
of twenty dollars for neglect in each case. 


1853 —Chapter 134. 

An Act to carry into effect the provisions of the constitution relative to passed May 0 
the returns of elections. 1853. ’ 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of^SKth^cio 1 ^ 
Maryland, that all elections of judges and other offi- ernor - 
cers, provided for by the constitution (except that of 
the Governor) shall be certified, and the returns made, 



32 


ELECTION LAWS. 


respectively, by the clerks of the circuit courts of the 
counties, and by the clerk of the superior court of 
Baltimore city to the Governor. 

Returns of eiec- g e c. 2 . And be it enacted, that elections of State’s 

tion of State’s ' 

attorney. attorneys shall also be certified, and returns made by 
the aforesaid officers to the judges respectively, who 
have criminal jurisdiction. 

Returns of eiec- Sec. 3. And be it enacted, that elections of Governor 

non of Governor g | ia ^ certified, and the returns under seal, made by 

the aforesaid officers, and addressed to the speaker of 
the house of delegates, and enclosed and transmitted 
to the secretary of State. 


1853 —Chapter 280. 

I 853 e<i May 26 ’ Aii Act to divide the State into six Congressional districts. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of 

State divided in- _ " Jp J 

to six districts. Maryland, that for the choosing of the six representa¬ 
tives in the Congress of the United States, this State 
shall be, and it is hereby divided into six districts, 

First district. which shall be numbered from one to six: that Wor¬ 
cester county, Somerset county, Dorchester county, 
Talbot county, Caroline county and Queen Anne’s 
county shall compose the first Congressional district, 
and shall be entitled to choose one representative ; 

Second district. that Kent county, Cecil county, Harford county, the 
first, (1) second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh 
districts of Baltimore county and Carroll county, shall 
compose the second Congressional district, and shall 

Third district, be entitled to choose one representative ; that the first 
eight wards of Baltimore city, or all the wards on the 
east side of Jones’ falls, with the eighth, ninth, tenth, 

(1) By the authority of the act of 1853, chap. 430, the county commis¬ 
sioners of Baltimore county divided the first district of said county and 
created an aditional district which they numbered the thirteenth. The 
new district still forms a part of the second congressional district. 



ELECTION LAWS. 


33 


eleventh and twelfth districts of Baltimore county, 
shall compose the third Congressional district, and 
shall he entitled to choose one representative; that 
the wards of Baltimore city from ninth to twentieth Fourth dlstnct ' 
inclusive, or all those wards on the west side of Jones’ 
falls, shall compose the fourth Congressional district, 
and shall he entitled to choose one representative; 
that Frederick county, Washington county and Alle¬ 
gany county shall compose the fifth Congressional dis¬ 
trict, and shall he entitled to choose one representa¬ 
tive ; that Howard county, Montgomery county, Sixth district - 
Prince George’s county, Charles county, Saint Mary’s 
county, Calvert county, and Anne Arundel county, 
with the city of Annapolis, shall compose the sixth 
Congressional district, and shall he entitled to choose 
one representative. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted, that the returning judges separate re- 
ot the elections tor representatives to Congress ot where county or 

ip t* p-n.-!- -in city is divided. 

the first seven districts ot Baltimore county, shall 
make a return separate from the return to he made 
by the returning judges of the remaining five dis¬ 
tricts, and the returning judges of the first eight 
wards of the city of Baltimore shall make a return sep¬ 
arate from the return to he made by the judges of 
the remaining twelve wards. 


BETTING ON ELECTIONS. 
1838— Chapter 392. • 


An act to prevent betting on elections in the State of Maryland. 


Passed April 5, 
1839. 


Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of 
Maryland that from and after the passage of this act, J e e “ ing forbid ' 
it shall not he lawful for any person or persons to 
make any het or wager on the result of any election 
or elections to take place in this State; and any per- 
5 



34 


ELECTION LAWS. 


son or persons offending against this act shall he lia¬ 
ble to indictment in the circuit courts of this State 
if the offence he committed in any county, and in the 
criminal court if the offence he committed in Balti¬ 
more city, and on conviction thereof, shall he fined 
a sum not less than fifty dollars, nor more than five 
hundred dollars to he collected as other fines. 

Sec. 2. And he it enacted, that all fines collected 
under this act shall he paid to the State treasurer for 
the benefit of the school fund of the State. 

Sec. 3. And he it enacted, that every deposite of 
feited to primary money hereafter in any part of the State as a wager 

school fund. _ J r ° 

or bet upon elections m this State or elsewhere, shall 
he forfeited and paid over to the * * county com¬ 

missioners of the county, for the use of primary 
schools in said county. 


Penalty. 


Fines to be paid 
to treasurer. 


BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS 


OF THE 

CITY OF BALTIMORE. 


First Ward.— Beginning on the eastern boundary line at the 
centre of Fayette, formerly Pitt street, and running thence west 
to Wolf street; thence south to Bank street; thence west to 
Broadway; thence south to the water line; and thence by the 
water and boundary line to the place of beginning. 

Second Ward.— -Beginning at the corner of Bank street and 
Broadway; thence west to Exeter street; thence northwest to 
Fawn street; thence southeast to Jones’ Falls; thence by the 
water line to the mouth of Jones’ Falls; and thence round to 
Broadway; and thence north to the place of beginning. 

Third Ward.— Beginning at the corner of Fayette (formerly 
Pitt) and Wolf streets; thence west to Harford Bun; thence 
south to Bank street; thence east to Wolf street; and thence 
north to the place of beginning. 

Fourth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Fayette, formerly 
Pitt street, and Harford Bun; thence west to Jones Falls; thence 
south to Fawn street; thence northeast to Exeter street; thence 
southeast to Bank street; thence east to Harford Bun; and 
thence north to the place of beginning. 




36 


BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS. 


Fifth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of East and Fayette 
(formerly Pitt) streets; thence north to Hillen street; thence 
southwest to Jones’ Falls; thence south to Fayette, formerly 
Pitt street; and thence to the place of beginning. 

Sixth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Fayette, formerly 
Pitt street and Harford Bun; thence north to the Belair road; 
thence northeast to Chew street; thence west to Sterling street; 
thence south to east Madison street; thence west to Ensor 
street; thence south and west by Ensor and Hillen streets to 
East street; thence south to Fayette, formerly Pitt street; and 
thence to the place of beginning. 

Seventh Ward. —Beginning at the city boundary on Fayette, 
formerly Pitt street; thence west to Harford Run; thence north 
to the Belair road; thence to the boundary of the city line; and 
thence to the place of beginning. 

Eighth Ward. —Beginning at the city boundary on the Belair 
road; thence southwest to Chew street; thence west to Sterling 
street; thence south to East Madison street; thence west to 
Ensor and Hillen streets to Jones’ Falls; thence north to the 
city boundary; and thence to the place of beginning. 

Ninth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Jones’ Falls and 
Baltimore street; thence west to Charles street; thence south to 
Pratt street; thence east to Bowly’s wharf; and thence by the 
water line by the mouth of Jones’ Falls up to the place of be¬ 
ginning. 

Tenth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Jones’ Falls and 
Baltimore street; thence west to Charles street; thence north to 
Pleasant street; thence east to Jones’ Falls; and thence south 
to the place of beginning. 

Eleventh Ward. —Beginning at the city boundary and Jones’ 
Falls; thence south by Jones’ Falls to Pleasent street; thence 
west to Charles street; thence east to Saratoga street; thence 
north to Howard sreet; thence north to Cathedral street; thence 
to the city boundary; and thence east to the place of beginning. 




BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS. 


37 


Twelfth Ward.— Beginning at the corner of Howard and 
Lexington streets; thence west to Pine street; thence north to 
George street; thence east to St. Mary’s street; thence north¬ 
east to Madison street; thence east to Howard street; and 
thence south to the place of beginning. 

Thirteenth Ward.— Beginning at the corner of Pratt and 
Charles streets; thence north to Saratoga street; thence west to 
Howard street; thence south to Pratt street; and thence to the 
place of beginning. 

Fourteenth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Howard and 
Pratt streets; thence north to Lexington street; thence west 
to Pine street; thence south to German street; thence west to 
Fremont street; thence south to Pratt street; thence east to the 
place of beginning. 

Fifteenth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Light and 
Pratt streets; thence west to Howard street; thence south to 
Montgomery street; thence by Montgomery street to the water 
line; and thence round by the water line to the beginning,. 

Sixteenth Ward. —Beginning at the corner of Howard and 
Pratt streets; thence west to Fremont street; thence southeast 
to Eutaw street; thence north to Montgomery street; thence 
southeast to Howard street; and thence north, to the place of 
beginning. 

Seventeenth Ward. —Beginning at the water line on Mont¬ 
gomery street;. thence west and north to Eutaw street; thence 
southwest to the water of the Middle Branch of the Patapsco 
Kiver; and thence by the boundary line of the city, round by 
Fort McHenry and the water line of the Basin, to the place of 
beginning. 

Eighteenth Ward. —Beginning at the water line on Eutaw 
street; thence northeast to Fremont street; thence northwest to 
German street; thence east to Pine street; thence north to Lex¬ 
ington street; thence west to the city boundary; and thence, by 
the city boundary line and Gwynn’s Falls, to the place of be¬ 
ginning. 


38 


BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS. 


Nineteenth Ward. —Beginning at the boundary line on 
Pennsylvania avenue; thence southeast to George street; thence 
west to Pine street; thence south to Lexington street; thence 
west to the boundary; and thence, by the boundary line, to the 
place of beginning. 

Twentieth Ward. —Beginning at the boundary line on Ca¬ 
thedral street; thence south to Howard street; thence west and 
south to Madison street; thence west to St. Mary’s street; 
thence southwest to Pennsylvania avenue; thence northwest to 
the boundary line; and thence to the place of beginning. 






INDEX 


Page, 

Adjournment of presiding judges of elections to be from day to day when all do 

not attend. 18 

Advertisements of elections to be set up at the most public places in each election 

district. 10 

Allegany county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, fixed at two dollars, 22 

Allegany county, a part of fifth congressional district. 33 

Annapolis, the place of meeting for electors of President and Vice President. 19 

Annapolis, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Anne Arundel county, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Appointment of judges of elections to be recorded. 11 

Ballot, all votes to be taken by. 5 

Ballot Boxes, to be provided. 10 

Ballot Boxes, to be opened at close of polls. 13 

Ballots, not to be taken before nine, or after six o’clock. 13 

Ballots, to be written or printed. 13 

Ballots, to have the name thereon, and purpose plainly designated. 13 

Ballots, to be deposited in the ballot box until close of polls. 13 

Ballots, not to be unfolded under a penalty. 13 

Ballots, at close of polls to be publicly counted.13, 14 

Ballots, when more than the proper number of names, or when two are deceit¬ 
fully folded together, or the purpose not plainly designated to be rejected. 14 

Baltimore city, election districts the same as the wards. 19 

Baltimore city, boundaries of the wards in. 35 

Baltimore city, judges of elections in, to be governed by the same rules as those 

appointed in the counties. 19 

Baltimore city, judges of elections in, to be allowed no compensation for making 

returns.22, 25 

Baltimore city, comprising the fourth and part of the third congressional dis¬ 
tricts.32, 33 

Baltimore city, separate returns to be made of congressional elections. 22 

Baltimore county, parts of second and third congressional districts.32, 33 

Baltimore county, separate returns to be made of elections of representatives in 

congress. 33 

Baltimore county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 

Betting on elections, prohibited.33, 34 

Books, for entering voters’ names to be provided. 10 

Books, to be carried to place of meeting of circuit court. 15 

Booths, not to be kept on election day. 21 

Bribery, to be punished.6, 23, 24, 28 

Calvert county a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Candidates, or others unduly attempting to influence an election, to be punished, 20, 21 

Candidates prohibited keeping open house on day of election. 21 

Candidates guilty of bribery, to be punished.23, 24 

Caroline county, a part of first congressional district. 32 

Caroline county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 








































40 


INDEX. 


Page. 


Carroll county, a part of second congressional district. 32 

Carroll county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 

Cecil county, judges of election to appoint two constables in each election district 

on election da} r s, note . 11 

Cecil county, a part of second congressional district...... 32 

Cecil county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 

Certificates of oaths of judges and clerks to be signed and annexed to the polls. 13 

Certificates of elections to be made out and signed. 14 

Certificates of elections, form of.. 14 

Certificates to be returned with the votes. 15 

Certificates to be lodged with the clerks of the circuit and superior courts. 18 

Certificates copy of to be forwarded by the clerks of the courts to the governor. 19 

Certificates of the polls to be endorsed when received by the clerks of courts. 21 

Certificates of naturalization not to be used by persons not entitled thereto, punish¬ 
ment. 28 

Charles county, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Clerks to deliver warrants of appointment of judges of elections to sheriff.. 11 

Clerks of elections to be appointed by judges. 12 

Clerks of elections refusing to act, penalty. 12 

Clerks of elections to take an oath before acting. 12 

Clerks of elections to enter voters’ names. 12 

Clerks of elections to keep an account of the ballots. 14 

Clerks of elections to attest certificates of elections. 14 

Clerks of elections, their compensation. 22 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, returns of elections to be made to.15, 30 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, poll books and certificates to be lodged with 18 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, to make returns to governor, &c.19, 31 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, to endorse certificates of election when re¬ 
ceived. 21 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, their compensation, how paid. 21 

Clerks of Circuit and Superior Courts, to return list of fines annually. 23 

Commissioned, or non-commissioned officers, marching troops or mustering within 

view of an election, to be fined. 21 

Congress, representatives to, when to be elected. 29 

Congress, vacancies in, when to be filled. 28 

Congress, form of return for election of members of. 17 


Congress, separate returns to be made for elections in Baltimore city and county... 33 

Congress, proclamation to be made of elections of representatives to. 22 

Congressional districts, State divided into. 32 

Congressional districts, where county or city is divided, residence required. 5 

Conservators of the peace, judges of election to be on day of election, until ballots 

are counted and certificates made out and signed. 10 

Constables to be appointed in each district in Cecil county to preserve the peace on 

election days. 1] 

Constitution of the United States, provision in reference to election of House of 

Bepresentatives. 9 

Constitution of United States, provision in regard to election of President and Vice 

President. 9 

Constitution of United States, relating to electors of President. 9 

Constitution of Maryland, elective franchise, qualifications of voters. 5 

Constitution of Maryland, relating to bribery. 6 

Constitution of Maryland, relating to illegal voting.. 6 

Constitution of Maryland, oaths of office required.6, 7 

Constitution of Maryland, persons disqualified to vote.6, 7 

Constitution of Maryland, elections to be regulated by law. 8 

Constitution of Maryland, notice of elections to be given by sheriffs. 8 

Convicts not allowed to vote unless pardoned. 7 

County commissioners to appoint judges of elections annually.10, 30 

County commissioners to fill vacancies. 11 

County commissioners, list of fines for violation of election laws to be returned to 

annually. 23 

County commissioners to receive for primary school fund, forfeitures of wagers on 
elections. 34 





















































INDEX. 


41 


County commissioners to make a levy to pay sheriffs’ allowance for elections 


Page. 
.. 24 


Deposites of money on elections forfeited. 34 

Disqualification of voters, bribery. G 

Disqualification of voters, illegal voting. 6 

Disqualification of voters, convicts unless pardoned. *7 

Disqualification of voters, lunatics or persons non compos mentisi. 7 

Districts, where city or county is divided into different electoral, residence required 5 

Dorchester county, a part of first congressional district. 32 

Dorchester county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 


Elections, to commence at nine and close at six o’clock. 13 

Elections not to be influenced by candidates practising force, &c. 21 

Elections, judges, time, manner, and place of holding, to be regulated by law. 8 

Elections in the city of Baltimore, to be held at same place as corporation elections 20 

Elective franchise, constitutional provisions. 5 

Electors of President and Vice President, forms of return for election of.. 17 

Electors of President and Vice President to be elected by general ticket. 26 

Electors of President and Vice President, in case of tie, to be determined by lot.... 27 

Electors of President and Vice President, to meet at Annapolis and perform the 

duties required of them. 19 

Electors of President and Vice President, when assembled, to fill vacancies in their 

body. 27 

Electoral districts, residence required in. 5 


Fines and penalties, how to be recovered.23, 24 

Fines under law against betting on elections to be paid to State Treasurer. 34 

(See Penalties.) 

Forms of certificates of election. 14 

Forms of returns for election of delegates. 15 

Forms of returns for election of sheriff.. 16 

Forms of returns for election of members of Congress. 17 

Forms of returns for electors of President. 17 

Fraudulent practices at elections, to be punished. 31 

Frederick county, a part of fifth congressional district. 33 

Frederick county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 

Free school fund, fines for betting on elections appropriated to. 34 

Governor to make proclamation of election of representatives to Congress and elec¬ 
tors. 22 

Governor to issue proclamations for special elections to Congress and to fill vacan¬ 
cies. 29 

Governor, returns of election of, to be made to Speaker of House of Delegates and 

transmitted to Secretary of State. 32 

Grand Juries to have election law in charge after each election. 23 

Harford county, a part of second congressional district. 32 

Harford county, per diem of judges and clerks of elections in, three dollars. 22 

Hours of election to be from nine o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the 

evening.,'. 13 

Howard county, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Illegal voting to be punished.6, 27, 28, 31 

Informers entitled to half the penalty in certain cases. 23 

Intoxicating liquors not to be dealt out to voters on election day. 21 

Judges of elections, three for each district or ward to be appointed annually.... 10, 30 

Judges of elections to reside in the district for which appointed. 10 

Judges of elections to be provided with ballot boxes and poll books. 10 

Judges of elections, a majority of, or one in case of absence of the other two, to 

hold the election. 10 

Judges of elections to hold their appointments until displaced. 10 

Judges of elections to be conservators of the peace during elections. 10 

Judges of elections may commit offenders for breach of the peace. H 















































42 


INDEX. 


rage. 

Judges of elections not attending for the space of one hour after the time for open¬ 
ing election, how to proceed.••!!} 12 

Judges of elections to attend at time appointed under a penalty unless excused. 11 

“ “ to appoint two clerks. 12 

11 11 to take an oath or affirmation before acting. 12 

11 “ may administer the oath to each other and to their clerks... 13, 30 

11 11 unfolding ballots, to be fined. 13 

“ 11 to open ballot boxes at close of polls. 13 

11 11 to publicly count the ballots.13, 14 

“ u to make out certificates.•. 14 

“ 11 may apprehend and try persons offering to vote a second time.. 20 

“ “ their compensation four dollars per day. 22 

“ 11 to administer oaths touching elections. 25 

“ u to give information to State’s attorneys of violation of law of 

1853 . 31 

“ 11 in Baltimore city to be appointed by the corporation. 19 

“ “ their powers and duties.19, 20 

u 11 in Baltimore city and county to make separate returns for elec¬ 
tions of representatives to Congress. 33 

“ 11 in Cecil county to appoint constables to preserve the peace on 

election day. 11 

“ “ presiding to meet for making returns. 19 

“ “ to cast up votes and make out certificates. 15 

u “ to adjourn from day to day until all attend. 18 

“ 11 in city of Baltimore allowed no compensation for making re¬ 
turns...22, 25 

Judges of courts to give the election law (1805, ch. 97) in charge to grand juries... 23 

Justices of the Peace, a majority of, or one to choose judges of election in the ab¬ 
sence of those appointed.11, 12 

Justices of the Peace to administer oaths to judges and clerks of elections if requir¬ 
ed..13, 30 

Justices of the Peace may apprehend and try persons offering to vote a second time 20 


Kent county, a part of second congressional district... 32 

Lunatics disqualified from voting. 7 

Mayor and city council of Baltimore, to appoint judges of elections, annually..10, 30 

Mayor and city council of Baltimore, to fill vacancies. 11 

Mayor and city council of Baltimore, notice of election of, to be given by the 

Mayor.20, 30 

Montgomery county, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Montgomery county, per diem of judges and clerks of election in, three dollars... 22 


Naturalization papers of others not to be used. 28 

Newspapers, proclamation of elections of representatives to congress and electors 

to be published in... 22 

Non compos mentis, persons under guardianship not entitled to vote. 7 

Notice of elections to be given three weeks previously. 10 

Notice of special elections to congress to be given twenty days. 29 


Oaths, of office, required to be taken by all officers. 7 

Oaths, of judges and clerks of elections. 12 

Oaths, may be administered by judges of elections.25, 30 

Offering, or receiving bribes, a disqualification for office or to vote. 6 

Officers, State and city, to take an oath of office.6, 7 

Officers, commissioned or non-commissioned not to muster in view of an election.. 21 
Open house, not to be kept by candidates on election day. 21 


Penalties, how to be recovered.23, 24 

Betting*on elections to be fined not less than fifty nor more than five 

hundred dollars.33, 34 

Clerks, neglecting to deliver warrants of appointments of judges of 
election to sheriffs within five days to be fined fifty dollars. 11 










































INDEX. 


43 


rage. 


Penalties—Clerks of elections, when appointed refusing to act, to be fined ten 

dollars. 12 

Clerks of courts, failing to send to the Governor, returns of elections, 

within five days to be fined one hundred dollars. 19 

Candidates and others, attempting by force to overawe elections to be 
fined not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, and imprisoned 

not exceeding fifty days. 21 

Candidates and others, keeping open house and furnishing liquor and 
victuals free on election day, to be fined not exceeding five hun¬ 
dred dollars. 21 

11 Candidates and others giving or promising a reward to secure votes to 
be fined not exceeding five hundred dollars, and imprisoned not 

exceeding six months. 24 

Judges of elections not attending at the time appointed to be fined 

fifty dollars. 11 

Judges of elections unfolding ballots to discover the names thereon, 

before closing the polls, to be fined fifty dollars. 13 

Judges of elections neglecting to give notice of infractions of election 

law, to be fined twenty dollars. 31 

Judges of elections, presiding, failing to meet with the returns, to be 

fined five hundred dollars. 15 

Officers mustering troops, or marching recruiting parties in view of an 
election to be fined one hundred dollars. 21 


Removing into an election district or ward to vote illegally, voting 
more than once, or voting or offering to vote in a name not his 
own, or in the place of another of the same name, or in a county 


in which he does not reside to be punished by a fine of not less 
than ten nor more than one hundred dollars, and imprisonment in 

jail thirty days. 31 

11 Sheriffs neglecting to give notice of elections, to be fined fifty dollars... 10 

11 Sheriffs neglecting to provide and deliver to judges of elections, the 

ballot boxes previous to commencement of election to be fined five 

hundred dollars. 10 

11 Sheriffs neglecting to deliver within ten days the warrant of appoint¬ 
ment of judges of elections to be fined fifty dollars. 11 

u Swearing falsely in reference to voting to be punished as perjury. 25 

“ Voters offering more than one ballot with fraudulent design to be fined 

twenty dollars. 13 

“ Voters offering to vote a second time to be fined ten dollars. 20 

“ Voting or offering to vote without required residence, or being guilty 
of bribery, punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than 
five hundred dollars, and imprisonment in jail for not less than 

one month, nor more than two years. 27, 28 

“ Voting on naturalization papers of other persons made felony and pun¬ 
ished with imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less than two 

nor more than six years. 28 

‘ 1 Voting a second time punished on presentment by a fine not exceeding 

twenty dollars and imprisonment not exceeding one month. 20 

Perjury, persons swearing falsely in reference to voting, deemed guilty of.. 25 

Perjury, persons falsely taking oaths of office guilty of.. 7 

Primary school funds, entitled to forfeitures of wagers on elections. 34 

President, form of return for electors of.. 17 

President, electors of, to meet at Annapolis. 19 

President, proclamation to be made of election of electors of.. 22 

Presiding judges of elections to make returns.15, 30 

Presiding judges to cast up votes and make out certificates. 15 

Presiding judges to adjourn from day to day until all attend. 18 

Prince George’s county, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Proclamation to be made by governor of election of electors and representatives to 

Congress... 22 

Proclamation to be made for special elections and to fill vacancies in Congress. 29 

Poll books to be lodged with clerks of circuit and superior courts. 18 

Polls to be opened at nine and closed at six o’clock. 13 



































44 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Polls when closed, ballots to be counted. 13 

Qualifications of voters... 5 

Queen Anne’s county, a part of first congressional district. 32 


Recruiting parties not to be marched in view of an election. 

Refusing to accept office, presumed by neglecting to take the prescribed oaths. 

Removal from one portion of county or city to another, but not in same electoral 

district, residence required. 

Removal into election district or ward, to vote illegally, to be punished. 

Representatives in Congress, form of returns for election of. 

Representatives in Congress, when to be elected. 

Representatives in Congress, proclamation to be made of persons elected. 

Representatives in Congress, vacancies in number of, how and when to be filled.... 


Residence of voters required. 

Returns of elections to be regulated by law T . 

11 of elections to be made within five days.15, 

“ to be made to clerks of Circuit and Superior courts.15, 


11 and votes to be lodged with clerks of Circuit and Superior courts. 

u of delegates, form of. 

“ of sheriffs, form of.. 

“ of representatives to Congress, form of. 

11 of electors of President, form of.. 

11 for Congress to be made separate in the different districts of Baltimore city 

and county. 

u no compensation to be allowed for making, in Baltimore city.22, 

“ of elections, to be made by clerks of courts to Governor, in certain 

cases.19, 31, 

“ of electors and representatives to congress, to be opened, counted, and 

proclamation of election to be made by the Governor. 

u of election for Governor to be made to Speaker of House of Delegates, and 

enclosed to Secretary of State. 

11 of elections for State’s attorneys to be made to the judge having criminal 

jurisdiction. 

Return judges, to adjourn from day to day, until all attend. 


21 

8 

5 

31 

IT 

29 

22 

29 
5 
8 

30 
30 
18 

15 

16 
IT 
IT 


33 

25 


32 


22 


32 


32 

18 


St. Mary’s County, a part of sixth congressional district. 33 

Separate returns, to be made for members of Congress in the different districts of 

Baltimore city and county. 33 

Soldiers, not to be mustered in view of an election.. 21 

Sheriffs, to give notice of elections...8, 10 

u to provide and deliver ballot boxes and poll books. 10 

11 to deliver warrants of their appointment to judges of elections. 11 

11 allowed twelve dollars for holding elections. 24 

“ to give twenty days notice of special elections, and elections to fill vacan¬ 
cies in Congress. 29 

11 form of return of election of.. 16 

Somerset county, a part of first congressional district. 32 

State’s attorneys, returns of election of, to be made to judges having criminal juris¬ 
diction. 32 

Superior court, clerk of, to receive returns of elections, (See clerks of the Circuit 


Talbot county, a part of first congressional district. 32 

Tents for distribution of liquor not to be kept on election day... 21 

Tie in vote of electors to be determined by lot. 2T 

Vacancies in number of judges of elections to be supplied. 11 

Vacancies in Congress, special elections to be held. 29 

Victuals not to be dealt out to voters on election day. 21 

Vote to be by ballot. 5 

Voters, in case of absence of judges of elections and justices of the peace, to choose 
judges of the election. 12 
















































INDEX. 


45 


! 


Page. 

Voters, qualifications of. 5 

Voters to deliver ballots to judges of elections. 13 

Voters’ names to be entered in two separate books. 10 

Voters offering more than one ballot with fraudulent intent to be fined twenty 

dollars. 13 

Voters offering to vote a second time to be fined ten dollars. 20 

Voters voting twice at an election liable to presentment, fine and imprisonment. 20 

Voting without requisite qualifications, to be piinished.27, 28 

Voting without residence more than once or in another person’s name to be punished 31 


Wagers on elections prohibited.33, 

Wards in Baltimore city made election districts. 

Wards in Baltimore city, boundaries of. 

Wards, separate returns to be made in, forming portions of different congressional 

districts... 

Warrant of appointment of judges of elections to be made out and delivered to 

sheriff. 

Warrant in the name of the State to be issued against a person offering to vote a 

second time. 

Washington county, a part of fifth congressional district. 

Worcester county, a part of first congressional district. 


34 

19 

35 

33 

11 

20 
33 

















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